THz Medical Imaging: Overcoming Limitations of Traditional Biophotonics

Zach Taylor

Department of Bioengineering

University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract:  

Popular applications of THz technology such as skin cancer imaging and tooth decay detection have failed to gain traction due to numerous practical limitations and competition from traditional biophotonic modalities which often offer improved diagnostic power at reduced cost/complexity.  However, recent results in tissue hydration sensing and mapping have produced very promising results in fields where biophotonics have not sufficiently improved the standard of care.  In this talk we discuss the design parameters and tradeoffs of a pulsed THz imaging system built by our group for medical hydration sensing and present in vivo imaging results in animal models.  The system is based on a photoconductive source and Schottky diode detector and operates at a center frequency 525 GHz with ~ 125 GHz effective bandwidth.  Images of partial and full thickness burns in rat models are corneal hydration mapping in rabbit models are presented and the diagnostic power of THz in these applications is discussed.

Biography:

Zach Taylor received the PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2009.  Since then has worked under Dr. Warren Grundfest as a postdoctoral in the department of Bioengineering at UCLA.  Dr. Taylors work has focused primarily translating THz technology from the bench to the bedside through extensive animal work and clinical collaboration.  He has developed strong collaborations with the departments of surgery, pathology, and ophthalmology and has been successful at raising NIH funds for THz medical diagnostics.